Walter Von Nessen Lamps

Pair of Walter Von Nessen Lamps ca.1938
Walter Von Nessen
table lamps
USA, c. 1938
aluminum, brass
17¾ h × 13½ dia in (45 × 34 cm)
One of the very recognizable American lamps of the pre WW II period.
Walter Von Nessen was a trained German industrial designer who arrived in New York at the dawn of the American Art Derco movement in 1927 founding Nessen Studios..
His mastery of the machine age lighting aesthetic was recognized by leading architects of the day.
This classic iconic lamp was long attributed to another great American industrial designer Kurt Versen and this correction of its creator just goes to show that mistakes can be urban legends for years and still prove to be incorrect.
The lamps were purchased at an estate sales several years ago, along with several other items, but this particular piece kept calling me back. I left three times and upon returning back for my third visit, I decided to purchase it , they were calling me, can anyone relate? It’s beautiful and I love it. If you notice she’s kneeling and wearing a dress of Dogwood flowers, including her bracelet, necklace and earrings. Fairies and dogwood flowers have an association that intrigues me. It’s very detailed. and the patina is exquisite.